Shiv Sena gives ‘200 out of 100’ to BJP’s manifesto

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena Wednesday hailed the BJP manifesto and gave it “200 out of 100” marks for promising to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution, providing special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and constructing the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The Sena, an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Maharashtra, said that the country’s integrity cannot be compromised and that 2019 was the last chance to construct the Ram temple. History will not forgive those who compromise on the Uniform Civil Code and Article 370, it said.

“The BJP’s ‘sankalp  patra’ is one that encapsulates the feelings of the nation. Even the Shiv Sena’s demands have been included in it. We, therefore, give the manifesto 200 out of 100 marks,” the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’. It criticised National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who have threatened that if Article 370 is scrapped, it will lead to freedom for Jammu and Kashmir from India, and have suggested a separate Prime Minister for it.

“The mouths of such people need to be shut... Dr (Farooq) Abdullah has even threatened that they will see who hoists the Indian flag there if the special status to the state is revoked. The tongues of such people need to be cut,” the editorial said.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said it agreed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emotional appeal, made at a rally in Maharashtra’s Latur district on Tuesday that people should vote for the BJP as respect for the brave hearts who attacked Pakistan.